Canadian Mutual Aid Programme: WW2 equipment supplied to NATO Allies

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Mike Cecil:

The Canadian Mutual Aid program dates from 20 May 1943 when it became law in Canada (so well after the start of US Lend Lease). The Canadian Mutual Aid Board was then established to 'contribute, exchange, deliver, transfer title to or possession of or otherwise make available war supplies to any of the United Nations other than Canada.' The primary purpose was stated to be 'to enable those of the UN who are short on Canadian dollars to continue to draw supplies from Canada to meet their essential wartime needs.' (Paras 1&2, Canadian Mutual Aid: Procurement of Supplies from Canada, Aust Treasury circular No.1943/25, 16 October 1943.)

Colin McGregor Stevens:

55-256 is the 5,256th vehicle assigned a Department of National Defence (DND) number in Canada. The new numbering system started about January 1943 for Canadian Army vehicles, at 50,000. There was no “,” so they used a “-“ or a “.” Motorcycles and Royal Canadian Air Force vehicles were in different number series.

Canadian Army vehicles in World War II were assigned British War Department Census numbers when they were sent to the UK e.g. CM4212345.